After tidying up his tools, Chen Jianye left work.
He didn't greet anyone, nor did he call out to friends.
He walked alone towards the Siheyuan (Courtyard).
Yi Zhonghai's ostracism made it almost impossible for Chen Jianye to find anyone to talk to in the Pliers worker team, but it also freed him from having to deal with interpersonal relationships.
'It might not be a bad thing after all.'
Chen Jianye walked leisurely, his mind wandering.
Halfway there, he also saw several Public Security officers riding bicycles past.
From how hard the Public Security officers pedaled their bicycles, it was clear they were very busy.
'I wonder if the Public Security found the person I killed last night. They should have found him by now.'
Chen Jianye suddenly thought again.
However, he didn't feel the slightest bit guilty.
Firstly, the people he killed were robbers, and Chen Jianye didn't feel he had done anything wrong by killing a few of them.
Secondly, there was no surveillance in those days. If he didn't come forward and admit to the killing, who would know it was him?
Staying calm was all that was needed.
If he acted timidly and was seen by the Public Security, it would only attract them to investigate.
Returning to the Siheyuan (Courtyard).
Chen Jianye passed through the Middle Courtyard.
"Jianye is back."
Yan Fugui greeted him at the door.
"I'm back, Third Master."
Chen Jianye's expression was calm.
"I heard you went to the Rolling Mill to fill in today. You did a good job, didn't you?"
Yan Fugui added another question.
"It's alright."
Chen Jianye didn't want to say much.
"Over at the Imperial City Root, I heard several people died, and the Public Security has cordoned off the area."
"I heard about it early. Five died, it seems to have been done by enemy agents."
"The Public Security Leader was furious, he smashed a cup on the spot and vowed to catch that person. I'm telling you all, don't wander out aimlessly these next few days."
Several old aunties were discussing the latest topic.
Chen Jianye became somewhat interested and stood by, listening.
It is said that criminals often return to the crime scene to admire their handiwork.
Chen Jianye knew this, so he definitely couldn't go back to look.
However, standing here and listening to everyone's discussions could also provide some psychological satisfaction.
"Oh, Jianye is back."
Third Aunt spotted Chen Jianye and exclaimed in surprise.
"Third Aunt, don't mind me, you all chat, I'll just listen."
Chen Jianye actively lowered his presence.
"What, are you also interested in that killer?"
"I'm telling you, even though the Public Security has offered a fifty-yuan reward, that person is a desperado. We can't avoid him fast enough."
Third Aunt reminded him.
"I just enjoy listening to these stories, no other meaning."
Chen Jianye smiled slightly.
He secretly thought he was quite valuable; fifty yuan was not a small sum.
The old aunties continued talking.
The Public Security had already cordoned off the crime scene and were questioning residents door-to-door.
At least for the next few days, it wouldn't be peaceful.
Chen Jianye estimated that if the real culprit couldn't be caught in the end, the Public Security would have no choice but to arrest someone to take the fall, providing a satisfactory answer to the higher-ups and the public.
The 1960s were relatively chaotic, and it wasn't just the social system that was in disarray.
Even in the twentieth century, there were still 'goddess detectives'.
One look, this person looks like him, then it's settled, it's him.
It perfectly echoed the saying: if they say you are, you are, even if you're not.
If they couldn't solve the case, their hats would be off. When pushed to the brink, they had no choice but to find a hooligan to 'borrow their head for a while'.
This level of competence could even be publicized in major media outlets.
It showed the basic state of the law enforcement system.
After listening for a while, Chen Jianye rubbed his chin and quietly left.
A small part of what the aunties talked about was actual hearsay, but most of it was imagined scenarios.
Listening to their idle chatter felt like listening to a street storyteller.
The feeling of satisfaction outweighed any actual gain.
It wasn't very meaningful.
Back home, Chen Jianye washed rice and started cooking.
However, the Middle Courtyard was not quiet.
"Jia Dongxu, Jia Dongxu, get out here!"
Sha Zhu ran to the Jia's door and shouted angrily.
"What do you want?"
Jia Dongxu came out of the house.
"What do I want? Didn't you say Chen Jianye would come to the cafeteria for food? I waited for him for an hour today!
"My eyes are blurry from looking, not a single ghost. You're messing with me, aren't you?"
Sha Zhu shouted, enraged.
"Chen Jianye didn't go to the cafeteria?"
Jia Dongxu was stunned, then furious: "You damn well messed up the cooking, and you still have the nerve to come find me!"
"What's wrong with messing up the cooking? You told me to mess it up. If I can't mess with Chen Jianye, I'm not allowed to vent my anger on you?"
Sha Zhu said as if it were obvious.
Jia Dongxu was furious.
He had originally thought he could just give a little push and let Sha Zhu cause trouble for Chen Jianye.
He didn't expect to cause trouble for himself and not get any good out of Sha Zhu.
The two immediately started arguing loudly.
Sha Zhu rolled up his sleeves, ready to give Jia Dongxu a few punches.
"Sha Zhu, what are you doing?"
Yi Zhonghai, seeing that things weren't right, shouted.
"First Master, this bastard!"
Sha Zhu pointed at Jia Dongxu: "He told me this morning..."
Immediately, Sha Zhu straightforwardly explained what Jia Dongxu had done.
The onlookers in the Siheyuan (Courtyard) looked at Jia Dongxu, all showing expressions of contempt.
It was Chen Jianye's first day at the Rolling Mill, and you already wanted to undermine him. You have a dark heart.
Moreover, Jia Dongxu's maliciousness was very subtle; he used a strategy of killing with a borrowed knife.
He didn't show his face but still managed to mess with Chen Jianye.
Everyone felt that Jia Dongxu was quite insidious.
"Sha Zhu, don't talk nonsense, I just wanted to vent some anger for First Master."
Jia Dongxu quickly explained.
Yi Zhonghai's face immediately darkened: "Alright, that's enough, both of you."
"Chen Jianye came back at noon to cook."
An auntie said.
"Damn it, no wonder I didn't catch him. This guy is quite cunning."
Sha Zhu said, looking indignant.
"Sha Zhu, Chen Jianye must have looked down on your cooking skills and didn't trust you."
Jia Dongxu fanned the flames again.
"Bah, who in the factory doesn't say I'm good with the big ladle? Is he the only one who's delicate?"
"Hmph, I'd like to see if he can come back to cook every day at noon."
Sha Zhu immediately became unhappy.
"He ate big meat dishes at noon; the cafeteria really couldn't provide that."
Jia Zhangshi ran out, her eyes red.
"Jianye's health isn't good, he needs to recuperate. Eating meat is normal."
Someone spoke up to help.
"His health isn't good, yet he still goes to the Rolling Mill to fill in. He's clearly trying to exploit public resources."
"He wants to be greedy for all the benefits. In my opinion, he won't get better."
Jia Zhangshi looked in the direction of the Chen Family, her face full of contempt.
"Alright, everyone go do what you need to do. Say less."
"We are all from the same Courtyard. We should help each other out, lend a hand, and not always think about arguing over who's right or wrong in the Courtyard."
Yi Zhonghai spoke.
Sha Zhu and Jia Dongxu each went home.
Jia Dongxu saw Qin Huairu returning with the laundry, frowned and grunted: "Why are you only collecting the clothes now? And you haven't made dinner yet."
"Chen Jianye stir-fried meat dishes at noon, and the smell got all over the clothes."
"I thought if I aired them longer, they would get more air and have less smell."
Qin Huairu put down the clothes and explained.
Jia Dongxu casually picked up one of his own clothes and sniffed it.
The oily smell of chili fried pork was very obvious, it had permeated the fabric.
"This damn dog, he deliberately messed up my clothes. I'll fight him."
With that, Jia Dongxu was about to take the clothes and go out to find trouble with Chen Jianye.
"Dongxu, wait."
Jia Zhangshi quickly called out.
"Mom, persuading me is useless. I must deal with him."
Jia Dongxu held the clothes with one hand and fiercely waved the other in the air.
Like a general going to war, full of determination and resolve.
